"Ripe and focused, with a delightful mix of cassis, blood orange and cherry coulis flavors streaming through, backed by black tea and apple wood accents. Finely beaded acidity lets the fruit stretch out, while a light mineral edge adds range. Shows an echo of licorice snap at the very end. Dense, but there’s remarkable grace here. Best from 2020 through 2040. From France.—J.M"

94-96 Jeb Dunnuck - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes checks in as 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre and Cinsault, with 30% whole cluster. Its ruby/opaque color is following by terrific notes of cassis, cracked pepper, licorice and distinct minerality. Full-bodied, concentrated and with building tannin, it shows the more finesse-driven style of all of the 2015s, has fine tannin and a great finish.

One of the finest run estates in all of Châteauneuf du Pape is Domaine de la Janasse, which is managed today by the brother and sister pair of Christophe and Isabelle Sabon. Looking at the 2014 and 2015 releases, both lean towards the more finesse-driven end of the spectrum, with Pinot Noir-like textures and less overt concentration than past vintages. That’s certainly expected in a vintage like 2014, but is surprising in a vintage like 2015. While the estate’s reds, both Châteauneuf du Papes and Côtes du Rhône, are well known, don’t make the mistake of missing their whites, as these are some of the most impressive and age-worthy wines in just about every vintage. It’s also worth noting the new Isabelle Sabon Clos St Antonin releases, also reviewed in this report. This is a new estate located just beside the Plan de Dieu and they release four cuvées: one white and three reds."

Product Description:

"Age of vines: 60-110+ years old. Over the last quarter century, Domaine de la Janasse has become one of
the most highly-regarded estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Led by siblings
Christophe and Isabelle Sabon, the estate combines the best of both
traditional and modern techniques to craft a collection of truly riveting
wines from “simple” value-priced VDP’s to their benchmark Châteauneufs.
The estate was founded in 1976 by Aimé Sabon, the father of Christophe
and Isabelle, who still oversees the vineyards. The property consists of
40 hectares, spread over as many as 70 different parcels throughout the
appellation. While Aimé works in the vineyards, his children, Christophe and
Isabelle, are in charge of wine production. Christophe is a self-proclaimed
“great defender of Grenache,” which still represents 75% of their vines.
With assistance from Aimé and Isabelle, he manages the common rusticity
of Grenache-based wines through meticulous work in the vineyards and
cellar. The result is a wide range of rich and flavorful Châteauneuf-du-
Papes, Cotes-du-Rhônes and Vins de Pays that are complex and balanced
– often in contradiction to an region better known for sheer exuberance and power." -Importer